Patient-support device and docking cart combination

ABSTRACT

A combination comprises a patient-support device and one or more carts that dock to the patient-support device. Some of the disclosed carts that dock to the patient-support device have pivotable storage bins. Some of the disclosed carts have equipment-carrying surfaces. Some of the disclosed carts have work surfaces or trays that move between storage and use positions. One of the disclosed carts has a storage module that transfers from a frame of the cart to a base of the patient-support device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national counterpart application ofinternational application Ser. No. PCT/US02/31636 filed Oct. 3, 2002,which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.60/327,496 filed Oct. 5, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to patient-support devices, such asinfant thermal support devices, that support patients during their staysin hospitals and to carts that dock to patient-support devices. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to carts that carrysupplies and/or equipment and that dock to mobile patient-supportdevices to be transported with the patient-support devices.

Mobile patient-support devices on which patients lie or sit during theirstays in hospitals are known. Such devices include, for example,hospital beds, stretchers, and, in the case of premature infants, infantthermal support devices, such as incubators, radiant warmers, andcombination incubator/radiant warmer devices. A variety of medicalequipment and supplies are typically needed to care for a patient in ahospital. Sometimes the equipment and supplies used to care for patientsare carried by carts that are able to dock to the patient-supportdevices on which patients rest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to this disclosure, a combination comprises a patient-supportdevice and one or more carts that dock to the patient-support device. Anillustrative patient-support device has a base, a set of wheels coupledto the base, and a patient-support platform supported above the basesuch that a first space for receiving a portion of a cart is definedbetween the base and the patient-support platform. In illustrativeembodiments, a cart has a base, a set of wheels coupled to the base, anda structure for carrying supplies and/or equipment supported above thebase such that a second space is defined between the structure and thebase of the cart. When the illustrative cart is docked to theillustrative patient-support device, at least a portion of the structureof the cart is situated in the first space of the patient-support deviceand at least a portion of the base of the patient-support device issituated in the second space of the cart.

One illustrative cart has a base, a set of wheels coupled to the base, apost coupled to the base, and at least one bin coupled to the post forpivoting movement relative to the post. Another illustrative cart has atray or shelf that is movable between a storage position received in thespace beneath the patient-support platform and a use position situatedalongside the patient-support platform. A further illustrative cart hasa base, a set of wheels coupled to the base, and an equipment-supportshelf that is supported above the base and that has an upper surfaceconfigured with at least one recess adapted to receive at least aportion of a piece of medical equipment. Yet another illustrative carthas a frame and a storage module that detaches from the frame and thatcouples to the patient-support device beneath the patient-supportplatform and above the base.

In some illustrative embodiments in which a cart docks to apatient-support device, the patient-support device comprises a basehaving a base frame and a shroud covering at least a portion of the baseframe. In such embodiments, a docking mechanism has a first dockingportion coupled to the base frame beneath the shroud and a seconddocking portion coupled to a base of the cart. To dock the cart to thepatient-support device, at least a portion of the base of the cart ismoved underneath the base of the patient-support device so that thesecond docking portion engages the first docking portion to couple thecart and patient-support devices together. In such embodiments, when thecart is docked to the patient-support device, the shroud shields thedocking mechanism from view. In other embodiments, the shroud is omittedor is otherwise configured so that the docking mechanism is not shieldedfrom view.

Additional features will become apparent to those skilled in the artupon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out thepatient-support device and docking cart combination as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanyingfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is diagrammatic view showing a combination having apatient-support device, a cart, and a docking mechanism that releasablycouples the cart to the patient-support device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the combination of FIG. 1 showing thecart on the right-hand side of the FIG. separated from thepatient-support device on the left-hand side of the FIG.;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the combination of FIG. 2 showing thecart docked to the patient-support device so that a base of the cart isreceived, in part, beneath a base of the patient-support device and sothat a supply-storage structure of the cart is received, in part, in aspace defined between the base of the patient-support device and apatient-support platform of the patient-support device;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the combination of FIG. 3 showing a pairof casters of the cart being spaced apart by a distance less than adistance that a pair of casters of the patient-support device are spacedapart and showing the supply-storage structure of the cart having sidesthat are generally in alignment with sides of the patient-supportplatform;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a combination of the patient-supportdevice of FIGS. 1-3 and of a first alternative cart that is releasablydockable to the patient-support device showing the first alternativecart undocked from the patient-support device, the first alternativecart having a pair of work surfaces overlying a plurality of storagebins, and two of the storage bins pivoted part way out from underneathone of the work surfaces;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the combination of FIG. 5 showing thefirst alternative cart docked to the patient-support device, one of thework surfaces moved out from underneath the patient-support platform andraised to a position alongside the patient-support platform, and one ofthe storage bins pivoted to a position out from underneath thepatient-support platform;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second alternative cart showing anequipment-support shelf of the cart supporting a pair of gas tanks and apower unit and showing a storage bin of the cart mounted to a post ofthe cart for pivoting movement in the direction of the double arrowabout a vertical axis defined by the post;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second alternative cart of FIG. 7docked to the patient-support device of FIGS. 1-6 showing a majority ofthe shelf, the equipment on the shelf, and the storage bin situated inthe space defined between the base and the patient-support platform ofthe patient-support device;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third alternative cart showing thecart having a frame, a set of casters coupled to horizontal framemembers of the frame, a push handle coupled to vertical frame members ofthe frame, and a storage module supported by the vertical frame membersso that a base-receiving space is defined between the storage module andthe horizontal frame members; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a combination of the patient-supportdevice of FIGS. 1-6 and 8 and the storage module of the cart of FIG. 9showing the storage module received in the space defined between thebase and the patient-support platform of the patient-support deviceafter the frame of the cart of FIG. 9 has been decoupled from thestorage module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to this disclosure, a combination 10 comprises apatient-support apparatus or device 12, a cart 14, and a dockingmechanism 16 that releasably couples cart 14 to device 12 as showndiagrammatically in FIG. 1. Device 12 has a base 18, a set of wheels 20coupled to base 18, a patient-support platform 22, and a support 24 thatsupports platform 22 above base 18 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Cart 14 has abase 26, a set of wheels 28 coupled to base 26, a structure 30 forsupporting supplies and/or equipment, and a support 32 that supportsstructure 30 above base 26 as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

Wheels 20, 28 engage a floor or ground surface 34 over which device 12and cart 14 are transported as a unit when cart 14 is docked to device12 and over which device 12 and cart 14 are transported independentlywhen cart 14 is undocked from device 12. Illustrative wheels 20, 28 arepart of casters 21, 29, respectively, and therefore, are able to swivelabout respective vertical axes in a manner well-known to those skilledin the art. In alternative embodiments, some or all of wheels 20, 28 arenot able to swivel, but rather are either rotatable about a fixedhorizontal axis or are steerable via appropriate steering mechanisms(not shown). As used in this disclosure, including in the claims, theterm “wheel(s)” is intended to cover all types of structures,assemblies, or elements, including, for example, tracks, belts, rollers,balls, and the like, that support a patient-support device or a cart ona floor and that provide for the movement of the patient-support deviceor cart along the floor.

Device 12 is configured so that a first space 44 is defined between base18 and platform 22 as shown in FIG. 2. Cart 14 is configured so that asecond space 46 is defined between base 26 and structure 30 as alsoshown in FIG. 2. A third space 48 is defined beneath base 18 of device12. When cart 14 is docked to device 12, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, aportion of structure 30 of cart 14 is received in space 44 of device 12,a portion of base 18 of device 12 is received in space 46 of cart 14,and a portion of base 26 of cart 14 is received in space 48 beneath base18 of device 12. Device 12 and cart 14 are transportable as a unit aftercart 14 docks to device 12.

Base 18 of illustrative device 12 has abase frame 36 and a shroud 38that covers frame 36 as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. Dockingmechanism 16 includes a first portion or connector 40 and a secondportion or receiver 42 that receives connector 40 when cart 14 is dockedto device 12. One of portions 40, 42 is coupled to or formed in baseframe 36 and the other of portions 40, 42 is coupled to or formed inbase 26. Illustratively, connector 40 is associated with base 18 ofdevice 12 and receiver 42 is associated with base 26 of cart 14.However, in alternative embodiments, connector 40 is associated withbase 26 of cart 14 and receiver 42 is associated with base 18 of device12. All types of docking mechanisms having first portions and secondportions that releasably couple together are considered to be within thescope of this disclosure for coupling cart 14 to device 12. Such dockingmechanisms include, for example, the devices that are shown anddescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,073,285 and 5,898,961 and in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/310,250; each of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

When cart 14 is docked to device 12, all portions of docking mechanism16 are located underneath shroud 38 so as to be generally hidden fromview as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. In alternative embodiments,shroud 38 is omitted or is otherwise configured, such as by coveringonly part of base frame 36, so that some or all of docking mechanism 16is not hidden from view. Either docking mechanism 16 and/or bases 18, 26are configured so that, when cart 14 is docked to device 12, base 26 ofcart 14 remains in a fixed orientation relative to base 18. A suitablerelease mechanism (not shown), such as a hand-operated release mechanismor a foot-operated release mechanism, is provided on either cart 14 ordevice 12 to release docking mechanism 16 to permit separation ofportions 40, 42, thereby permitting decoupling of cart 14 from device12.

Structure 30 of illustrative cart 14 comprises a plurality of bins 50,shown in FIGS. 2-4, in which supplies, waste, or equipment may be placedby caregivers, if desired. Structure 30 further comprises a pair ofshelves or trays 52 above bins 50. Each of bins 50 and trays 52 areindependently movable between respective storage positions, situatedabove base 26 of cart 14, and use positions, situated outwardly from thestorage positions. Bins 50 and trays 52 are situated beneath platform 22in space 44 when cart 14 is docked to device 12 and bins 50 and trays 52are in the respective storage positions. Bins 50 and strays 52 aresituated at least partially out from underneath platform 22 and at leastpartially outside of space 44, when cart 14 is docked to device 12 andbins and trays 52 are in the respective use positions.

Each of trays 52 has an upwardly facing work surface 54 as shown in FIG.2. When either of trays 52 is in the use position, caregivers may usethe associated work surface 54 for a variety of purposes, such as tosupport supplies and/or equipment or to provide a surface on which toplace paper, notepads, charts, and the like. Structure 30 also has apair of posts 56, each of which hangs or extends vertically downwardlyfrom a respective tray 52 as shown in FIG. 2. Two bins 50 are coupled toeach post 56 for pivoting movement about vertical axes defined by therespective posts 56. Each of the bins 50 coupled to posts 56 is movableindependently of the other bins 50 between a storage position situatedunderneath the associated tray 52 and a use position situated at leastpartly out from underneath the associated tray 52 so that items can beplaced in or removed from open tops of bins 50.

Each post 56 has a lower disk 58, an intermediate cylindrical portion 60extending upwardly from disk 58, and an upper cylindrical portion 62extending upwardly from portion 60 as shown in FIG. 2. A first diameterof disk 58 is larger than a second diameter of portion 60 and a thirddiameter of portion 62 is smaller than the second diameter of portion60. The lowermost pair of bins 50 coupled to posts 56 each have bottomwalls that are formed to include openings which receive respectiveportions 60 of posts 56 with a minimal amount of clearance therebetween.Similarly, the uppermost pair of bins 50 coupled to posts 56 each havebottom walls that are formed to include openings which receiverespective portions 60 of posts 56 with a minimal amount of clearancetherebetween. Thus, as bins 50 pivot about posts 56, a rotative bearinginterface is provided between the edges that define the openings in thebottom wall of the bins 50 coupled to posts 56 and the outer cylindricalsurfaces of respective portions 60, 62 of posts 56. In some alternativeembodiments, a cylindrical boss or bushing is provided adjacent theopenings of the bins 50 coupled to posts 56 to increase the surface areaof the rotative bearing interface between bins 50 and posts 56. In otheralternative embodiments, the rotative bearing interface is provided bybearings with rolling elements that rotatably couple bins 50 to posts56.

A bottom wall region around each of the openings in the bottom wall ofthe lowermost bins 50 coupled to posts 56 abuts an annular surface ofrespective disks 58, which annular surfaces face upwardly and extendradially outwardly from respective portions 60. Similarly, a bottom wallregion around each of the openings in the bottom wall of the uppermostbins 50 coupled to posts 56 abuts an annular surface of respectiveportions 60, which annular surfaces face upwardly and extend radiallyoutwardly from respective portions 62. Thus, the upwardly facing,annular surfaces of disks 58 prevent the lowermost bins 50 coupled toposts 56 from falling downwardly off of posts 56 and the upwardlyfacing, annular surfaces of portions 60 prevent the uppermost bins 50coupled to posts 56 from falling downwardly toward the lowermost bins 50situated thereunder. In addition, as bins 50 pivot about posts 56, athrust bearing interface is provided between the respective upwardlyfacing, annular surfaces of disks 58 and portions 60 of posts 56 and thebottom walls of the associated bins 50. In alternative embodiments, oneor more thrust washers, thrust bushings, or thrust bearings with rollingelements are situated between the upwardly facing, annular surfaces ofpost 56 and the bottom walls of the bins 50 coupled to posts 56.

Support 32 of illustrative cart 14 comprises a pair of spaced-apart,vertical members or posts 64 that extend upwardly from base 18 as shownin FIGS. 2-4. Illustrative posts 64 are cylindrical in shape. Support 32further comprises a block 66 coupled to a lower portion of posts 64 anda storage box 68 coupled to an upper portion of posts 64. Box 68 has aninterior region 69 that is sized to receive therein items such as, forexample, clip boards. A lid or door 71 is coupled to a top of box 68 formovement between a closed position blocking access to interior region69, as shown in FIG. 2, and an opened position allowing access tointerior region 71 through the top of box 68, as shown in FIG. 3.

Two bins 50 are coupled to each post 64 for pivoting movement aboutvertical axes defined by the respective posts 64. Each of the bins 50coupled to posts 64 is movable independently between a storage positionsituated underneath the associated tray 52 and a use position situatedat least partly out from underneath the associated tray 52 so that itemscan be placed in or removed from open tops of bins 50. The uppermostbins 50 coupled to posts 64 are supported above the lowermost bins 50coupled to posts 64 so that the bottom wall of the uppermost bins 50 isvertically spaced apart from the top surface of the respective lowermostbins 50 which lie thereunder.

Bins 50 coupled to posts 64 each include a collar 70 having a bore (notshown) that receives a portion of the respective post 64 therein with aminimal amount of clearance therebetween. Thus, as bins 50 pivot aboutposts 64, a rotative bearing interface is provided between the surfacesthat define the bores of collars 70 and the outer cylindrical surfacesof respective posts 64. In some alternative embodiments, bushings orbearings with rolling elements are provided in the bores or collars 70to provide the rotative bearing interface between bins 50 and posts 64.In the illustrative embodiment, collars 70 are appended to respectiverear vertical walls of bins 50 adjacent the open tops of bins. Inalternative embodiments, collars 70 are coupled to other walls of bins,such as the bottom wall or one of the sidewalls, and/or are situatedcloser to the bottom of bins 50 than the tops of bins 50.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, bottom surfaces of collars70 of the lowermost bins 50 coupled to posts 64 abut the top surface ofblock 66. Thus, the top surface of block 66 supports the associated bins50 in spaced relation with base 26 and prevents these bins 50 frommoving downwardly on posts 64 toward base 26. In addition, as thelowermost bins 50 coupled to posts 64 pivot about posts 64, a thrustbearing interface is provided between the bottom surfaces of therespective collars 70 and the top surface of block 66. In somealternative embodiments, one or more thrust washers, thrust bushings, orthrust bearings with rolling elements are situated between the collars70 and block 66 to provide the thrust bearing interface.

This disclosure contemplates several types of thrust bearing interfacesbetween posts 64 and the collars 70 of the associated uppermost bins 50.In some embodiments, bottom surfaces of collars 70 of the uppermost bins50 coupled to posts 64 abut respective top surfaces of spacers (notshown) that are situated on posts between the uppermost collars 70 andthe lowermost collars 70. In alternative embodiments, posts 64 areformed to include annular, upwardly facing shoulder surfaces on whichthe bottom surfaces of the uppermost collars 70 rest. In still otherembodiments, collars 70 have shoulder surfaces formed in the boresthereof that interface either with surfaces formed in posts 64 or withstructures coupled to posts 64 to maintain the vertical position ofrespective bins 50 on posts 64 and to provide a thrust bearing interfacebetween respective bins 50 and posts 64. In some alternativeembodiments, one or more thrust washers, thrust bushings, or thrustbearings with rolling elements are situated between uppermost collars 70and whatever structure or surface supports the associated bins 50 frommoving downwardly relative to posts 64.

Trays 52 are coupled to each post 64 for pivoting movement about thevertical axes defined by the respective posts 64. When cart 14 is dockedto device 12, each of the trays 52 coupled to posts 64 is movableindependently between a storage position situated underneath platform 22and a use position situated at least partly out from underneath theplatform 22 so that at least some of work surface 54 is exposed for use.Trays 52 are supported on posts 64 so that a slight amount of clearanceexists between the bottom surfaces of trays 52 and the top surfaces ofeach of the upper set of bins 50 that lie thereunder.

Illustratively, each of trays 52 includes a collar 72 that has a bore(not shown) which receives a portion of the respective post 64 thereinwith a minimal amount of clearance therebetween. Thus, as trays 52 pivotabout posts 64, a rotative bearing interface is provided between thesurfaces that define the bores of collars 72 and the outer cylindricalsurfaces of respective posts 64. In some alternative embodiments,bushings or bearings with rolling elements are provided in the bores ofcollars 72 to provide the rotative bearing interface between trays 52and posts 64. Illustratively, collars 72 are each appended to the rear,inboard corner of the main tray portion of the associated tray 52. Inalternative embodiments, collars 72 are appended to another part of themain tray portions of trays 52.

This disclosure contemplates several types of thrust bearing interfacesfor supporting trays 52 on posts 64. In some embodiments, bottomsurfaces of collars 72 abut respective top surfaces of collars 70 of theuppermost bins 50 coupled to posts 64. In such embodiments, collars 72project by a slight amount below the bottom surfaces of the mainportions of respective trays 52 and/or the collars 70 of the uppermostbins 50 coupled to posts 64 project by a slight amount above the topsurfaces of the remainder of these bins 50 so that the main trayportions of trays 52 are spaced from the top surfaces of the upper setof bins 50 thereunder. In alternative embodiments, a spacer (not shown)is provided between collars 72 and the collars 70 thereunder. In otheralternative embodiments, posts 64 are formed to include annular,upwardly facing shoulder surfaces on which the bottom surfaces of thecollars 72 rest. In still other embodiments, collars 72 have shouldersurfaces formed in the bores thereof that interface either with surfacesformed in posts 64 or with structures coupled to posts 64 to maintainthe vertical position of trays 52 on posts 64 and to provide a thrustbearing interface between respective trays 52 and posts 64. In furtheralternative embodiments, one or more thrust washers, thrust bushings, orthrust bearings with rolling elements are situated between collars 72and whatever structure or surface supports the associated trays 52 frommoving downwardly relative to posts 64.

In the illustrative embodiment, as trays 52 pivot about posts 64, posts56 and the bins 50 coupled thereto move along with trays 52. Thus, whencart 14 is docked to device 12, each of trays 52 may be pivoted out fromunderneath platform 22 and then each of the bins 50 coupled to posts 56may be pivoted out from underneath the associated tray 52. Of course,the bins 50 coupled to posts 56 also may be pivoted out from underneathtrays 52 while trays 52 remain in their storage positions beneathplatform 22. In alternative embodiments, one or more arms or otherstructural members extend from support 32 in a cantilevered mannerbeneath bins 50 and, in such embodiments, posts 56 are coupled to distalends of the members and extend upwardly therefrom to support theassociated bins 50. In these alternative embodiments, the bins 50 onposts 56 that extend upwardly from the structural members do not pivotwith trays 52 as trays 52 pivot about posts 64.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a combination 110 comprises device 12and a first alternative cart 114. Cart 114 has a base 126, a set ofwheels 128 coupled to base 126, a structure 130 for supporting suppliesand/or equipment, and a support 132 that supports structure 130 abovebase 126. Cart 114 also has a portion of a docking mechanism (not shown)that is similar to portion 42 described above in connection with cart 14and that interfaces with portion 40 mounted to base 18 of device 12 inorder to dock cart 114 to device 12. Thus, cart 14 and cart 114 are bothdockable to device 12. As was the case with cart 14, cart 114 isreleasable from device 12 via a suitable release mechanism. When cart114 is docked to device 12, a portion of structure 130 of cart 114 isreceived in space 44 of device 12, a portion of base 126 of cart 114 isreceived in space 48 beneath base 18 of device 12, and a portion of base18 of device 12 is received in a space (not shown) defined betweenstructure 130 and base 126 of cart 114. The space between structure 130and base 126 of cart 114 is similar to space 46 between structure 30 andbase 26 of cart 14.

Structure 130 of cart 114 comprises a plurality of containers or bins150 in which supplies, waste, or equipment may be placed by caregivers,if desired. Unlike bins 50 of cart 14, which illustratively have maincontainer portions of substantially the same size, some of bins 150 areof a different size than others of bins 150. For example, a first pairof bins 151 are deep and have small-size open tops, a second pair ofbins 153 are shallow and have large-size open tops, and a third pair ofbins 155 are of intermediate depth and have large-size open tops.Structure 130 of cart 114 further comprises a pair of shelves or trays152, each of which has an upwardly facing work surface 154. When cart114 is docked to device 12, each of bins 150 and trays 152 are movablebetween respective storage positions situated in space 44 and respectiveuse positions situated at least partly outside of space 44.

Support 132 of illustrative cart 114 comprises a lower unit 166 coupledto base 126 and a pair of telescopic vertical members or posts 164 thatextend upwardly from lower unit 166 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (posts 164are shown in phantom in FIG. 5). Telescopic posts 164 each include afirst member or tube 163 to which respective bins 151, 153, 155 arecoupled for pivoting movement about an associated vertical axis 167.Posts 164 also each include a second member or tube 165 that extends andretracts relative to tube 163. Support 132 further comprises a pair ofarm assemblies 156, each of which couples a respective a tray 152 to theupper end of an associated tube 165 as shown in FIG. 6. Support 132 alsohas a push bar 140 coupled to upper ends of tubes 163 by suitablecouplers, such as brackets (not shown). Push bar 140 is gripped bycaregivers to maneuver cart 114 along floor 34.

Bins 151 each include a collar 170 that couples the main containerportion of bins 151 to posts 164. Bins 155 each include a collar 174 andan arm 176 that couples the main container portions of bins 155 torespective posts 164. Similarly, bins 153 each include a collar 178 andan arm 180 that couples the main container portions of bins 153 torespective posts 164. Collars 170, 174, 178 each have a bore thatreceives therein a respective portion of tube 163 of associated posts164. A rotative bearing interface is provided between the bores of eachof collars 170, 174, 178 and the outer surface of the respective tube163. Any of the rotative bearing interfaces described above inconnection with the coupling of bins 50 and trays 52 of cart 14 to posts56, 64 may be used in connection with the coupling of bins 150 of cart114 to post 164.

Collar 170 is situated on post 164 just above lower unit 166, collar 174is situated on post 164 just above collar 170, and collar 178 issituated on post 164 just above collar 172. A thrust bearing interfaceis provided between each of collars 170 and unit 166, between each ofcollars 174 and respective collars 170 thereunder, and between each ofcollars 178 and respective collars 174 thereunder. Any of the thrustbearing interfaces described above in connection with the coupling ofbins 50 and trays 52 of cart 14 to posts 56, 64, including the use ofspacers, may be used in connection with the coupling of bins 150 of cart114 to post 164.

Arms 176 are configured to reach around respective bins 151 to couple tothe main container portions of associated bins 155 and arms 180 areconfigured to reach around respective bins 151 to couple to the maincontainer portions of associated bins 153. In the illustrativeembodiment, when all of bins 151, 153, 155 are in the storage positions,bins 151 may be moved to the respective use positions while bins 153,155 remain in the respective storage positions as shown, for example inFIG. 6 with reference to one of bins 151. During such movement of bins151 from the respective storage positions to the respective usepositions, bins 151 pivot away from arms 176, 180. However, when all ofbins 151, 153, 155 are in the storage positions, movement of any of bins153, 155 toward the respective use position causes the associated bin151 also to pivot toward its use position due to arms 176, 180contacting the associated bin 151. Such a situation is shown, forexample, in FIG. 5, where one of bins 153 is moved partially out fromunderneath tray 152 toward its use position, thereby causing theassociated bin 151 to be moved partially out from underneath theassociated tray 152 toward its use position.

When cart 114 is docked to device 12, trays 152 are movable betweenrespective storage positions situated in space 44 beneath platform 22and respective use positions situated outside space 44 and alongsideplatform 22, as mentioned above. Trays 152 are coupled to the upper endsof tubes 165 by arm assemblies 156, as also mentioned above. Each armassembly 156 has one or more links or arms 158 that supports theassociated tray 152 relative to the associated tube 165 as shown in FIG.6. At least one of arms 158 of each assembly 156 is coupled to the upperend of a respective tube 165 for pivoting movement. Arms 158 areconfigured to permit trays 156 to move horizontally between the storageposition beneath platform 22 and an intermediate position out fromunderneath platform 22 when cart 114 is docked to device 12.

Support 132 has a pair of lift mechanisms (not shown) that are actuatedto extend tubes 165 relative to tubes 163 to lift trays 152 from therespective intermediate positions to the respective use positions. Insome embodiments, the lift mechanisms of support 132 comprise gassprings, each of which is coupled to respective tubes 163 and torespective tubes 165. In such embodiments, the gas springs are situatedin the interior regions of tubes 163, 165. A pair of foot pedals 160 arecoupled to lower unit 166 and each foot pedal is depressed repeatedlythrough a first stroke length to pump air into the associated gas springto raise the respective tube 165, assembly 156, and tray 152 from theintermediate position to the use position. When trays 152 are in the usepositions, as shown in FIG. 6, work surfaces 154 of trays 152 aresubstantially coplanar (i.e. within a couple inches) with an uppersurface 184 of platform 22 and with an upwardly facing patient-supportsurface 186 of a mattress 188 carried by platform 22.

When each foot pedal 160 is depressed through a second stroke length,which is longer than the first stroke length, and is held at the bottomof the second stroke length, air escapes from the associated gas springcausing the associated tube 165 to retract relative to tube 163 so thatthe respective tube 165, assembly 156, and tray 152 move downwardly fromthe use position to the intermediate position. From the intermediateposition, trays 152 may be pushed horizontally into the storage positionreceived in space 44. In other embodiments, lift mechanisms other thangas springs are included in support 132 to change the elevation of trays152. Such alternative lift mechanisms may include manual clutch andrelease mechanisms, akin to those used in telescopic microphone standsor IV poles; manual jacking mechanisms, akin to the mechanisms providedin automobile jacks; lead screw mechanisms that are either hand-operatedor foot-operated; and any other mechanism capable of raising andlowering trays 152 relative to the rest of cart 114.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a combination 210 comprises device 12and a second alternative cart 214. Cart 214 has abase 226, a set ofwheels 228 coupled to base 226, a structure 230 for supporting suppliesand/or equipment, and a support 232 that supports structure 230 abovebase 226. Cart 214 also has a portion of a docking mechanism (not shown)that is similar to portion 42 described above in connection with cart 14and that interfaces with portion 40 mounted to base 18 of device 12 inorder to dock cart 214 to device 12. Thus, carts 14, 114, 214 are eachreleasably dockable to device 12. As was the case with cart 14 and cart114, cart 214 is releasable from device 12 via a suitable releasemechanism. When cart 214 is docked to device 12, a portion of structure230 of cart 114 is received in space 44 of device 12, a portion of base226 of cart 114 is received in space 48 beneath base 18 of device 12,and a portion of base 18 of device 12 is received in a space (not shown)defined between structure 230 and base 226 of cart 114. The spacebetween structure 230 and base 226 of cart 214 is similar to space 46between structure 30 and base 26 of cart 14.

Structure 230 of cart 214 comprises a container or bin 250 in whichsupplies, waste, or equipment may be placed by caregivers, if desired.Structure 230 of cart 214 further comprises an equipment-support shelf252 which has an equipment-support surface 254 as shown best in FIG. 7.When cart 214 is docked to device 12, bin 250 is movable between astorage position situated in space 44 and a use position situated atleast partly outside of space 44. Support 232 of illustrative cart 214comprises a lower unit 266 coupled to base 226 and a pair of verticalmembers or posts 264 that extend upwardly from lower unit 266 as shownin FIGS. 7 and 8. Support 232 also has a push bar 240 that is coupled toposts 264. Push bar 240 comprises a pair of vertical portions or posts242 and a U-shaped grip handle portion 244 that interconnects portions242. Illustrative portion 244 extends generally horizontally from theupper ends of vertical portions 242 and is gripped by a caregiver tomaneuver cart 214 along floor 34. Lower ends (not shown) of verticalposts 242 are coupled to the upper ends of posts 264. A central regionof portion 244 has a layer of padding 246 thereon to provide caregiverswith a comfortable gripping area on portion 244.

Bin 250 includes a collar 270 that couples the main container portion ofbin 250 to one of posts 242 of push bar 240 for pivoting movement abouta vertical axis 267 defined by the respective post 242 as shown in FIGS.7 and 8. Collar 270 has a bore that receives therein a portion of thepost 242 on which bin 250 is mounted. A rotative bearing interface isprovided between the bore of collar 270 and the outer surface of therespective post 242. Any of the rotative bearing interfaces describedabove in connection with the coupling of bins 50 and trays 52 of cart 14to posts 56, 64 may be used in connection with the coupling of bin 250of cart 214 to the respective post 242. Collar 270 is situated on post242 just above the top surface of post 264. A thrust bearing interfaceis provided between collar 270 and post 264. Any of the thrust bearinginterfaces described above in connection with the coupling of bins 50and trays 52 of cart 14 to posts 56, 64 may be used in connection withthe coupling of bin 250 of cart 214 to the associated post 242.

Shelf 252 extends horizontally from lower unit 266 in a cantileveredmanner as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, a bottom surface of shelf 252overlies one or more frame members 227 of base 226 in spaced-apartrelation therewith. Illustrative surface 254 of shelf 252 has a recess268 formed therein as shown in FIG. 7. Recess 268 is sized andconfigured to receive therein a portion of a pair of gas tanks 234,along with portions of outlet hardware 235 and pressure gages 236associated with tanks 234. In the illustrative embodiment, a flat orplanar portion of surface 254, which is adjacent to recess 268, supportsa power unit 272. In some alternative embodiments, surface 254 of shelf252 has one or more recesses that are adapted to receive some or all ofother types of equipment. In other alternative embodiments, surface 254of shelf 252 has no recess at all.

When cart 214 is docked to device 12, so that cart 214 and device 12 aretransportable together as a unit, gas from gas tanks 234 may be providedthrough outlet hardware 235 and through hoses or conduits (not shown) tothe patient carried by device 12 or to other equipment, such asventilation equipment, that are transported with device 12. In addition,electrical power from power unit 272 may be provided through appropriatepower cords or wires (not shown) to other equipment, such as ventilationequipment, pumps, monitors, computers, and the like, that aretransported with device 12.

Cart 214, therefore, is particularly useful with device 12 when acritically underdeveloped infant supported on device 12 is moved fromone location in a healthcare facility to another. In particular, whendevice 12 is positioned in a particular location within the healthcarefacility, utilities such as electricity and medical gases (e.g., oxygen)are available via the infrastructure of the facility such as wallmounted electrical receptacles and gas supply lines which are routedfrom a central location in the building to gas supply receptacles in thecare room. To move device 12 from one location to another with thefacility, or even to a different facility, device 12 and the equipmentassociated therewith is disconnected from these utilities. However, suchutilities (e.g., electricity, oxygen, and other medical gases) areprovided by equipment carried on cart 214. As such, electrical power andmedical gases are supplied from the equipment on cart 214 to device 12and to other equipment associated therewith during transport thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a combination 310 comprises device 12and a third alternative cart 314. Cart 314 has a frame 316 and astructure or storage module 330 for supporting supplies and/orequipment. Storage module 330 is carried by frame 316, as shown in FIG.9, and is transferable from frame 316 to device 12 to be carried inspace 44 of device 12, as shown in FIG. 10. Frame 316 has a base 326,four wheels 328 coupled to base 326, and a support 332 that supportsstructure 330 above base 326 when structure 330 is coupled to frame 316.Base 326 has a transversely extending, horizontal frame member 318 towhich two of wheels 328 are coupled and a pair of spaced-apart,longitudinally extending, horizontal frame members 320 to which theother two wheels 328 are coupled.

A suitable coupling mechanism is provided for detachably coupling module330 to frame 316. Such a coupling mechanism may have, for example, aconnector and a receiver similar to connector 40 and receiver 42described above in connection with docking mechanism 16. In addition, asuitable release mechanism is provide to uncouple the connector andreceiver so that module 330 is separable from frame 316.

Unlike carts 14, 114, 214, cart 314 does not have a portion of dockingmechanism 16 that interfaces with portion 40 mounted to base 18 ofdevice 12 in space 48 beneath base 18, but rather, module 330 has aportion of a docking or coupling mechanism (not shown) that interfaceswith another portion of the coupling mechanism mounted to device 12 inspace 44. In some embodiments, the portion of the coupling mechanismmounted to device 12 extends from the top of base 18. In suchembodiments, the portion of the coupling mechanism extending from thetop of base 18 is mounted to base frame 36 and projects upwardly throughan aperture or slot formed in shroud 38. Also in these embodiments, theportion of the coupling mechanism mounted to module 330 is mounted neara bottom corner region of module 330 (i.e. the bottom corner of module330 nearest support 24 of device 12 when module 330 is coupled to device12).

In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism of combination 310 thatcouples module 330 to device 12 includes a first portion or connectorand a second portion or receiver, similar to connector 40 and receiver42 described above in connection with combination 10. A suitable releasemechanism (not shown), such as a hand-operated release mechanism or afoot-operated release mechanism, is provided on either module 330 ordevice 12 to release the coupling mechanism to permit module 330 to betransferred from device 312 back onto frame 316 of cart 314. Thus,combination 310 has a first coupling mechanism for releasably couplingmodule 330 to frame 316 and a second coupling mechanism for releasablycoupling module 330 to device 12.

During the process of transferring module 330 to device 12 from frame316, cart 314 is moved into a “docked” position having module 330 ofcart 314 received in space 44 of device 12, having a portion of base 326of cart 314 received in space 48 beneath base 18 of device 12, andhaving a portion of base 18 of device 12 received in a space 346 definedbetween module 330 and base 326 of cart 314. As cart 314 moves into thedocked position, the first and second portions of the second couplingmechanism, which couples module 330 to device 12, lock together. Base326 interacts with base 18 to properly orient cart 314 relative todevice 12 during movement of cart 314 toward the docked position so thatthe first and second portions of the second coupling mechanism areproperly aligned prior to docking.

If the first and second portions of the first coupling mechanism, whichcouples module 330 to frame 316, remain locked together while the firstand second portions of the second coupling mechanism are lockedtogether, then cart 314 and device 12 are transportable together as aunit. However, more often than not, after the first and second portionsof the second coupling mechanism lock together, the release mechanismassociated with the first coupling mechanism is operated to releasemodule 330 from frame 316, and then, frame 316 is pulled away fromdevice 12 leaving module 330 coupled to device 12 to be transportedtherewith.

During the process of transferring module 330 from device 12 back tocart 316, frame 316 is moved back into the docked position so that thefirst and second portions of the first coupling mechanism lock togetherso that module 330 is once again coupled to frame 316. Thereafter, therelease mechanism associated with the second coupling mechanism isoperated to release module 330 from device 12, and then, cart 314 ispulled away from device 12 having module 330 being carried by frame 316.In some embodiments, the release mechanism associated with the firstcoupling mechanism is configured to automatically release the firstcoupling mechanism when the first and second portions of the secondcoupling mechanism lock together and the release mechanism associatedwith second coupling mechanism is configured to automatically releasethe second coupling mechanism when the first and second portions of thefirst coupling assembly lock together. In such embodiments, module 330does not lock to frame 316 and to device 12 simultaneously, but ratheris locked only to one or the other of frame 316 and device 12 at anyparticular instance in time.

Module 330 comprises a main housing 334, a pair of upper drawers 336, apair of lower drawers 338, and a pair of bins or containers 350 as shownin FIGS. 9 and 10, although only one each of drawers 336, 338 can beseen in the Figs. Drawers 336, 338 and bins 350 are coupled to housing334 for movement between respective closed positions and respectiveopened positions. In the opened positions, items can be placed into orremoved from the open tops of drawers 336, 338 and bins 350 as desired.In some embodiments, bins 350 are used as trash receptacles. A recess348 is formed in each side wall of housing 334. A cross bar 349 isappended to each side wall of housing 334 and extends horizontallyacross an associated recess 348. Recesses 348 are sized so thatclipboards 349 may be placed in recesses 348 behind bars 349. Bars 349prevent the clipboards 349 from falling out of recesses 348.

Drawers 336, 338 are situated at the sides of module 330 and movegenerally horizontally relative to housing 334 when moving between theopened and closed positions. Each upper drawer 336 is located above anassociated lower drawer 338. Illustrative drawers 336, 338 are allapproximately the same size. In alternative embodiments, drawers ofvarious sizes are included in module 330. Drawers 336, 338 each have atransparent front panel 337 which permits caregivers to view thecontents of drawers 336, 338. For example, a set of folded blankets 339are stored in one of upper drawers 336. In alternative embodiments, thefront panels of the drawers included in module 330 are not transparent.Drawers 336, 338 also each have a handle 342 that is grasped bycaregivers, if desired, while moving drawers 336, 338 between the openedand closed positions.

Bins 350 are arranged in side-by-side relation at the end of housing 334which is accessible when module 330 is coupled to device 12. When movingbetween the opened and closed positions, bins 350 pivot about an axis(not shown) that extends through lower corner regions of bins 350. Whenpivoted to the opened positions, open tops of bins 350 are accessiblefor placement of items into bins 350 or removal of items from bins 350.Bins 350 each include a handle 344 that is grasped by caregivers, ifdesired, while moving bins 350 between the opened and closed positions.

Module 330 further has a pair of shelves or trays 352 coupled to the topof housing 334, one of trays 352 being situated just above the other oftrays 352 when both trays are in a respective storage position abovehousing 334 as shown in FIG. 9. Each of trays 352 has an upwardly facingwork surface 354. Suitable mechanisms, such as slide mechanisms and/orpivot mechanisms, couple each of trays 352 to housing 334 and permittrays 352 to move from the respective storage positions to respectiveuse positions. A pair of grips 353 are mounted to two of the cornerregions of the bottom tray 352 to facilitate movement of the bottom tray352 beneath the top tray 352 between the storage position and the useposition. When module 330 is coupled to device 12, one of trays 352 maybe moved to its use position out from underneath platform 22 on one sideof device 12 and the other of trays 352 may be moved to its use positionout from underneath platform 22 on the other side of device 12. In theillustrative embodiment, the bottom tray 352 is able to move out fromunderneath platform 22 in a multitude of directions as shown, forexample, in FIG. 10 where the bottom tray 352 is shown moved to aposition extending partially outwardly from the side of platform 22 andpartially outwardly from the end of platform 22. Thus, the bottom tray352 has a multitude of use positions. In some embodiments, the top tray352 also has a multitude of use positions.

Support 332 of illustrative frame 316 comprises a pair of vertical framemembers or posts 364 that extend upwardly from frame member 318 of base326 as shown in FIG. 9. Support 332 also has a push bar 340 that iscoupled to upper ends of posts 364 by brackets 368. Push bar 340 isslightly arcuate or curved and is gripped by a caregiver to maneuvercart 314 along floor 34. Illustrative support 332 further comprises apair of posts 366 that extend horizontally from the upper ends of posts364 in a cantilevered manner. Posts 366 are received in post-receivingbores formed in housing 334 of module 330 to support module 330 aboveframe members 320 of base 326 in spaced-apart relation therewith. Thus,in the illustrative embodiment, posts 366 serve as a connector of thecoupling mechanism that couples module 330 to frame 316 and thepost-receiving bores formed in housing 334 serve as a receiver of thecoupling mechanism that couples module 330 to frame 316. In someembodiments, additional coupling elements are provided to releasablylock housing 334 onto posts 366.

In the illustrative combinations 10, 110, 210, 310, device 12 is aninfant thermal support device that supports premature infants. It isdesirable to minimize the amount of noise and activity to which apremature infant is exposed in order to facilitate the development ofthe premature infant. Thus, it is contemplated by this disclosure thatcarts 14, 114, 214, 314 are transported separately from device 12 to oneor more areas in a healthcare facility to be loaded with supplies and/orequipment and then transported back to device 12 for docking therewith.Thus, the infant is not exposed to the noise and activity associatedwith loading supplies and/or equipment onto carts 14, 114, 214, 314. Ofcourse, supplies and/or equipment may also be loaded onto carts 14, 114,214, 314 when carts 14, 114, 214, 314 are docked to device 12.

Each of carts 14, 114, 214, 314 may be loaded with different types ofsupplies and equipment that are associated with different types ofmedical treatments for the infant or that are associated with differentstages of development or medical condition of the infant. Carts 14, 114,214, 314 may then be interchangeably docked to device 12, as desired, toprovide infant care stations of various configurations. Thus, thecontents of the carts 14, 114, 214, 314 may be customized to perform aparticular function or to have particular resources. In addition, thebins and drawers of carts 14, 114, 214, 314 may be equipped with locksor other types of security devices to prevent unauthorized access to thecontents stored in the respective bins or drawers. Such locks orsecurity devices may be used when drugs or medicines are stored in anyof carts 14, 114, 214, 314.

As previously mentioned, illustrative device 12 is an infant thermalsupport device. In some embodiments, device 12 is of the type shown anddescribed in the following U.S. patents and patent applications, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos.5,453,077; 5,817,002; 5,817,003; 5,759,149; 5,971,913; 5,971,914;6,022,310; 6,024,694; 6,036,634; 6,049,924; 6,071,228; 6,270,452;6,296,606; 6,345,402; Ser. No. 09/688,528 filed on Oct. 16, 2000; Ser.No. 09/571,449 filed on May 16, 2000; Ser. No. 09/838,789 filed on Apr.20, 2001; and Ser. No. 10/027,496 filed on Dec. 21, 2001.

Illustrative device 12 has an infant enclosure 74 above platform 22 asshown in FIGS. 2-6, 8, and 10. Enclosure 74 comprises a pair oftransparent side walls or panels 76, a pair of end walls or panels 78,and a canopy 80. Enclosure 74 defines an infant compartment aboveplatform 22. One or more of walls 76, 78 are movable between raisedpositions extending upwardly from platform 22 and lowered positionsadjacent the associated side or end of platform 22. In some embodiments,access ports and/or line pass-through ports are formed in one or more ofwalls 76, 78. In such embodiments, appropriate covers or doors aretypically provided for opening and closing the ports in walls 76, 78.Canopy 80 comprises a pair of canopy halves 82 and device 12 has anoverhead arm 84 to which canopy halves 82 couple. Canopy halves 82 arehinged to arm 84 for movement between lowered positions extendingdownwardly from arm 84 and raised positions extending upwardly from arm84.

Device 12 has a telescopic, vertical arm assembly 86 that couples arm 84to platform 22. A drive mechanism (not shown), such an electric linearactuator, operates to extend and retract arm assembly 86, thereby toraise and lower, respectively, arm 84 and canopy 80 relative to platform22 between raised and lowered positions. When panels 76, 78 are in theirraised positions and when assembly 86 and canopy halves 82 are in theirlowered positions, the bottom edges of canopy halves 82 abut or are inclose proximity to the upper edges of panels 76, 78 to completelyenclose the infant compartment defined by enclosure 74.

Support 24 of device 12 is telescopic and has a first member or tube 23coupled to base 18 and a second member or tube 25 coupled to platform 22as shown in FIG. 2. Device 12 has a suitable drive mechanism (notshown), such as an electric linear actuator, that operates to extend andretract tube 25 relative to tube 23, thereby to raise and lower platform22 relative to base 18. Device 12 is configured so that when platform 22is supported by support 24 in a lowermost position, each of carts 14,114, 214, 314 (or portions thereof), is able to dock to device 12without interference from platform 22.

Platform 22 carries convective heating equipment (not shown) andhumidification equipment (not shown) that operates to convectively heatand/or humidify the infant compartment. Arm 84 carries a radiant heater(not shown) that operates to direct radiant heat toward platform 22 andthe infant carried thereon. A control system is housed in platform 22and/or in arm 84 to command the operation of the convection heatingequipment, the humidification equipment, the radiant heater, the drivemechanism for raising and lowering arm 84, the drive mechanism forraising and lowering platform 22, and other functions of device 12.Illustrative device 12 has a computer 88 carried by an articulated armassembly 90 that swivels about a segment of vertical arm assembly 86.Computer 88 serves as a user input device to control the operation ofthe various systems of device 12. Additional details of computer 88 andarm assembly 90 are shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/146,076 which was filed May 15, 2002 and which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, computer 88 of device 12 is configured forequipment and supply management. Thus, as equipment and supplies areadded to or removed from carts 14, 114, 214, 314, appropriateinformation regarding the addition or removal of the equipment andsupplies may be input into computer 88. It is contemplated by thisdisclosure that computer 88 is coupled to a computer network of thehealthcare facility. Thus, supply and equipment data is communicatedbetween computer 88 and other locations in the healthcare facility. Forexample, if equipment carried by device 12 or carts 14, 114, 214, 314malfunctions, computer 88 may be used to communicate an appropriatemessage via the facility network to maintenance personnel. In addition,if data input into computer 88 indicates that certain supplies carriedby the particular cart 14, 114, 214, 314 docked to device 12 have beendepleted down to a predetermined threshold level, then an appropriatemessage may be communicated from computer 88 via the network to notifycaregivers to restock the needed supplies.

Although illustrative device 12 is an infant thermal support devicecapable of heating an infant with convective heat and/or radiant heat,it is contemplated by this disclosure that carts 14, 114, 214, 314 maybe used with other patient-support devices, such as, for example,hospital beds, stretchers, infant warmers, infant incubators, and thelike, that are appropriately configured to have carts 14, 114, 214, 314(or portions thereof), docked thereto. Thus, the term “patient-supportdevice” as used in this disclosure, including in the claims, is intendedto cover all of these types of device and the equivalents thereof,unless specifically stated otherwise in a particular instance.

Although the invention have been described in detail with reference tocertain illustrative embodiments, variations and modifications existwith the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described and defined inthe following claims.

1. A combination comprising a patient-support device having a surface onwhich a patient rests, the patient-support device having acart-receiving space, and a cart dockable to the patient-support device,the cart having a post and a container coupled to the post, and when thecart is docked to the patient-support device the container is movableabout the post between a first position in which at least a portion ofthe container is situated in the cart-receiving space and a secondposition in which at least a majority of the container is situatedoutside the cart-receiving space, wherein the patient-support devicecomprises an infant thermal support device having a patient-supportplatform and an infant enclosure carried by the patient-supportplatform, an infant space being defined between the patient-supportplatform and the infant enclosure, the patient-support platform carriesheating equipment that is operable to heat the infant space, and thecart-receiving space is defined beneath the patient-support platform. 2.The combination of claim 1, wherein the post has a vertical orientation.3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a collarcoupled to the post and a main container portion coupled to the collar.4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the collar has a bore thatreceives a portion of the post and a rotative bearing interface isprovided between the bore and the post.
 5. The combination of claim 1,wherein the cart includes a tray coupled to the post for pivotingmovement.
 6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the tray is situatedabove the container.
 7. The combination of claim 6, wherein thecontainer has a lower collar, the tray has an upper collar, and a thrustbearing interface is provided between the upper and lower collars. 8.The combination of claim 1, wherein the post is situated outside thecart-receiving space when the cart is docked to the patient-supportdevice.
 9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cart furthercomprises a first base and a first set of wheels coupled to the firstbase, the post extends upwardly from the first base, and the containeris supported by the post above the first base and in spaced-apartrelation with the first base.
 10. The combination of claim 1, whereinthe infant enclosure comprises a set of walls extending upwardly fromthe patient-support platform and a canopy that is situated atop the setof walls to form the infant enclosure.
 11. The combination of claim 1,wherein the cart includes a tray that is movable between a storageposition beneath the patient-support platform and a use positionalongside the patient-support platform.
 12. The combination of claim 1,wherein the cart includes a shelf having an equipment-support surfacebeneath the container.
 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein theequipment-support surface is formed to include a recess adapted toreceive at least a portion of a piece of equipment therein.
 14. A cartcomprising a base, a plurality of wheels coupled to the base, a postextending upwardly from the base, a plurality of storage bins, eachstorage bin having a main container portion and a coupler extending fromthe main container portion to couple the respective storage bin to thepost for pivoting movement about the post, a tray and an arm assembly,the post comprising a first member and second member that is extendableand retractable relative to the first member, and the arm assemblycoupling the tray to the second member.
 15. The cart of claim 14,wherein the coupler of each storage bin comprises a collar having a borethat receives a portion of the post therein.
 16. The cart of claim 15,further comprising a block coupled to the post, the block having a topsurface, and the collar of one of the bins having a bottom surface thatabuts the top surface of the block.
 17. The cart of claim 14, furthercomprising a box mounted to the post above the plurality of storage binsand the box has an interior region.
 18. The cart of claim 14, whereinthe post extends vertically upwardly from the base.
 19. The cart ofclaim 14, further comprising a rotative bearing interface between eachof the plurality of storage bins and the post.
 20. The cart of claim 14,further comprising a thrust bearing interface between each of theplurality of storage bins and the post.
 21. The cart of claim 14, thetray being coupled to the post for pivoting movement.
 22. The cart ofclaim 14, wherein the tray is situated above the plurality of storagebins.
 23. The cart of claim 14, further comprising a foot pedal that isdepressed to extend and refract the second member of the post relativeto the first member to raise and lower, respectively, the tray relativeto the base.
 24. The cart of claim 14, wherein the arm assembly isconfigured to permit repositioning of the tray relative to the post. 25.A combination comprising a patient-support device having a surface onwhich a patient rests, the patient-support device having acart-receiving space, and a cart dockable to the patient-support device,the cart having a post and a container coupled to the post, and when thecart is docked to the patient-support device the container is movableabout the post between a first position in which at least a portion ofthe container is situated in the cart-receiving space and a secondposition in which at least a majority of the container is situatedoutside the cart-receiving space, wherein the cart further comprises afirst base and a first set of wheels coupled to the first base, the postextends upwardly from the first base, and the container is supported bythe post above the first base and in spaced-apart relation with thefirst base, and wherein the patient-support device comprises a secondbase and a second set of wheels coupled to the second base, a lowerspace is defined beneath the second base, and at least a portion of thefirst base is situated in the lower space when the cart is docked to thepatient-support device.
 26. The combination of claim 25, furthercomprising a docking mechanism having a first portion coupled to thefirst base and a second portion coupled to the second base, the firstportion interfaces with the second portion to dock the cart to thepatient-support device, and the first and second portions are situatedbeneath the second base when the cart is docked to the patient-supportdevice.
 27. The combination of claim 25, wherein at least a portion ofthe second base is situated between the first base and the containerwhen the cart is docked to the patient-support device.
 28. A cartcomprising a base, a plurality of wheels coupled to the base, a postextending upwardly from the base, a plurality of storage bins, eachstorage bin having a main container portion and a coupler extending fromthe main container portion to couple the respective storage bin to thepost for pivoting movement about the post, further comprising a traycoupled to the post for pivoting movement, an additional post coupled tothe tray, and a plurality of additional storage bins coupled to theadditional post for pivoting movement.
 29. The cart of claim 28, whereinthe tray is situated above the plurality of storage bins.